All-star third baseman and American League MVP finalist José Ramírez has finalized a seven-year, $175 million contract to continue his career with the Cleveland Guardians, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. The agreement, which is pending a physical examination, was reported by The Associated Press on October 7, 2023. The source requested anonymity as the deal has yet to be publicly announced.
This new contract extends Ramírez’s tenure with the Guardians through the 2028 season. Previously, he had three years and $69 million remaining on his contract signed in 2022. Under this revised agreement, Ramírez will earn an average of $25 million annually over the next seven years. The deal also includes a no-trade clause and performance bonuses tied to his standing in MVP voting, a category in which he has finished in the top five six times, including a third-place finish last year.
Ramírez’s Historic Contributions
Since making his major league debut in 2013, Ramírez has played his entire 13-year career with the Guardians. During this period, the team has reached the postseason on eight occasions, highlighted by their appearance in the 2016 World Series where they narrowly lost to the Chicago Cubs in a seven-game series. The Guardians have dominated the AL Central in recent years, winning the division title for the past two seasons.
Ramírez has established himself as one of the franchise’s all-time greats. Notably, he became the first player in Guardians history to accumulate at least 250 home runs and 250 stolen bases, a feat he achieved last season. He currently has 285 home runs and 287 stolen bases. Only Carlos Beltrán has joined him in the exclusive category of switch-hitters with over 250 home runs and 250 stolen bases while playing for a single franchise.
Recent Performance Highlights
The seven-time AL all-star showcased exceptional talent last season, achieving a career-high of 44 stolen bases and becoming just the fourth player in MLB history to record multiple seasons with at least 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases. Ramírez maintained a solid batting average of .283 and impressively extended his hitting streak to 21 games from May 6 to May 28, 2023.
In addition to his impressive statistics, Ramírez leads the franchise in extra-base hits with 726 and has recorded 27 multi-homer games. He ranks second in both home runs and RBIs, with a remarkable total of 949 RBIs. His continued presence is expected to be pivotal for the Guardians as they strive for further success in the coming seasons.
